The Magic of Suwannee

Slinking out of the fabled Okefenokee Swamp, this dark force carves a great meandering path through perhaps the world’s highest concentration of natural freshwater springs. While she’s typically easy going, she has a famously feisty streak. She’s known for her bluffs, as well as her many noteworthy sidekicks.

The Suwannee River is unlike any other river in Florida. In fact, it is unique on this planet, boasting more than 300 springs within its watershed. And her feisty side? That would be known as Big Shoals, the only Class III rapids in Florida — they can actually be seen on Google Earth! Cooler still, this scenic river runs largely through wilderness and rural areas even today, well over 200 miles. So cool is this 200+ mile river that it has its own State Paddling Trail: The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.

There are many launch locations for paddling, as you will see with this Interactive Map. You can do an out and back paddle, a point to point paddle, or a multi-day paddle. Parks and amenities, including camp shelters, dot the shores of the river, including 7 with the word “spring” in their names.